Sunday 4 July 2010

Roller Coaster Ride

Well there is never a dull moment at Wester Lix. We moved up here eleven years ago this month - although we had actually bought the place in the May, but had to wait for the children to finish school . . . children . . .  yes they were children back then . . .

On Friday 25th June we were very proud to watch our son Jamie graduate from Heriot Watt University with an Honours Degree in Robotics and Cybernetics . . . 



But no time to draw breathe and reflect on our son's achievement. On the Sunday we picked up our daughter Katie from Dundee - said goodbye to her boyfriend who was heading off to London with his parents, picked Jamie up from Dundee station and then headed home for two days together before Katie flew out to Australia . . .

Yes Australia - her boyfriend was going on a different flight from London (long story - they booked at different times  . . .) and they would be meeting in Sydney sometime on Thursday . . . wow roller coaster, or what!

So Tuesday afternoon saw us waving goodbye to our beautiful daughter knowing that we probably wouldn't be seeing her for a couple of years . . . oh yes I cried . . . couldn't stop myself . . . The flights all went ok and they met up in Sydney with no problem. We had a horrible, horrible day on Friday though with Katie's bank account locked and her also her boyfriend's account locked and them running rapidly out of money - poor love phoned us in tears at what was 4.30 in the morning their time  -  really worried and scared - they had enough money for the hostel up to Saturday night and then nothing . . . Mum and Dad to the rescue after lots of frustrating phone calls to the bank and finally getting Katie the right number to talk to the bank herself . . .  but lesson learned - when you go abroad  . . . let your bank know you are going . . . and don't rely on pay-as-you-go phones  . . . yes it will be cheaper for them in the long run - but with no access to money and no way of topping up the phone they would have been in real trouble - fortunately Katie also had her contract phone which saved the day . . . I had cancelled it, but it wasn't due to run out until 15th July - I am wondering now whether to just quietly keep it going.

So here is a picture of us all together at the graduation . . . I hated my picture thinking gawd I look so mumsy . . . but then again that is what I am a MUM and very proud of it.


Well done to you both - very very proud of you.

9 comments:

  1. What a fib I didn't post this at 4.30 am . . . I posted it around lunchtime . . . hmmmmmm

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  2. Alls well that ends well . . . but it ain't over til it's over.

    I anticipate the two of them survive, Gill. I also think it will be an interesting challenge in the ol' penal colony.

    Bear could send you some anti-anxiety meds if you like. If I don't run out of them first.

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  3. I've got one leaving in September, but only going as far as Aberdeen to Uni. None the less, it's going to be emotional.
    Fiona

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  4. Thanks bear . . . I'll stick to gulping the wine when the phone rings and it says it is an international call . . .

    It is indeed emotional when they go to Uni . . . but a proud moment too that they are gaining their independence.

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  5. Maybe Australian time. So glad that all's well. Lot of young people from here in Australia apparently - cashing in on all that good weather.
    Do hope they have a lovely time and that you make it out there to visit them.

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  6. WW - So glad as well that everything worked out OK in the end. Love your photo pic and nooooooo you don't look in the least bit mumsy!

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  7. WW, what is this mumsy stuff. Fear not on that score!

    Great that telephone across time zones functioned so well to sort out the banking hiccup.

    How proud you must be of these marvelous, brave children of yours.

    Do keep us posted from time to time. xo

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  8. You don't look Mumsy at all Westerwitch, really lovely photo WW, thanks for sharing with us.

    Poor Katie, she must have been soo worried, pleased to hear everything was sorted out over the banking.

    Hope you and HS get to go out to Oz land and see your daughter.

    xx

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  9. So glad all has ended well - but what a worry! Hmm, turbulent times... I've been through that period with mine as well! Mumsy? Pah! Not a bit of it... although I do look at myself and think that these days. Maybe that's something else that just goes with the territory.

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